It'll be interesting to see how teams see him though. Many won't want to give him a regular shift because of his defensive lapses, and others may see him as the answer to powerplay problems.

Robert

5:39

Stamkos has been without running mate since that trade and now Drouin could be that but is rumored like crazy to be moved because of cap situation

Gavin Lee

5:40

I thought the Lightning were in an impossible situation this summer, until they moved Filppula. With the cap going up a few million, they may legitimately have a chance to sign all three of the forwards.

5:41

They don't HAVE to move Drouin, which means they'll be able to get full value for him if someone--say Montreal--comes along.

5:41

I think Stamkos will do just fine next season.

DeadeyeFM

5:41

Is this the Leafs best chance to win a Cup in the next two seasons before they have to pay big money to Matthews, Marner, Nylander etc?

Gavin Lee

5:43

The thing is, they don't have to pay big money right away if they really don't want to. Cap hits only go way up when you're buying out free agent years. They probably will try to lock each of them up for as long as possible, but that doesn't mean it'll be $10MM each or anything.

5:44

They have a good chance right now with them cheap, but that window doesn't close when they get their first RFA contracts.

Rich

5:45

Are the Bruins in on dumba?

Gavin Lee

5:45

I haven't heard anything on that front.

5:45

They'd love him in Boston though.

5:46

The fans, I mean.

Robert

5:46

Not sure they want to move Drouin in division. If he reaches potential, they wouldn't want to face him multiple times a year. Predictions on contracts for the 3 RFAs?

Gavin Lee

5:48

It very much depends on how long the deals are, but Palat and Johnson should be around $10-12MM combined.

5:48

Drouin, could be relatively low if they go with a bridge deal.

DeadeyeFM

5:49

Doughty to Toronto for Nylander and picks and other lowel level prospects

Gavin Lee

5:50

I actually think Toronto turns that down.

Brandon

5:55

Any chance the Pens could strike a deal with Vegas and send them Jarry, thus keeping Fleury and Murray?

Gavin Lee

5:55

They could, but with Murray's deal kicking in next year they need to move Fleury's cap hit.

5:56

It's fine to have that much as your backup when you're paying the starter minimum wage, but when he goes up to $3.75 it's too much.

5:56

Remember the Pens have Sheary and Schultz to pay this summer too.

Robert

5:57

Has the Rangers window closed? Hank getting older, Staal and Girardi looking old and lacking a top flight forward.

Gavin Lee

5:57

It's true they lack that top-flight forward, but I don't think it's all going to come crashing down on them.

5:59

Their forward core is still young enough that someone could take a big step.

5:59

Would I bet on them winning a Cup any time soon? No. But I wouldn't rule it out completely either.

Brandon

6:00

What would a return for Letang look like at this point? Tons of injuries piling up, and they aren't exactly "normal" issues. Could a buyout be in his future instead?

Gavin Lee

6:01

In the distant future? Sure. But Letang is still an all-star when he's healthy. The Pens will just have to hope most seasons are 70 games, and not 40.

6:03

His is one of the few big contracts that isn't buyout proof though, meaning those last couple of years when he has likely lost a step could be dealt with.

6:03

Still a long way away from that though.

Robert

6:03

Do you see any blockbuster trades happening this summer? Is there a blockbuster trade that you would like to see happen?

Gavin Lee

6:03

Thing is you never really expect blockbuster trades do you.

6:04

I don't think we'll get another 10 minutes like we did last summer.

6:04

(Hall/Larsson, PK/Weber)

6:05

Kovalchuk will be our blockbuster this year.

Robert

6:06

Where does Shattenkirk go? Rangers seemingly don't have the cap and the Bruins seem to have something in Carlo and McAvoy. Also, he was less than stellar in the playoffs.

Gavin Lee

6:06

He sure didn't look like the old Shattenkirk did he.

6:06

I think he'll still get a big offer this summer, but I'm not sold on the Rangers anymore.

6:07

AV said again today that he wants to go young on D.

6:08

I wouldn't be surprised to see New Jersey in the mix, as I've said for a while I don't think a long re-build is the plan.